One of the traditions shared by Jesuit institutions is the celebration of the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which is held annually on Jesuit campuses to mark the beginning of the academic year. The tradition dates back to 1548 when it was celebrated by the first Jesuit school in Messina, Sicily.
This year鈥檚 Mass of the Holy Spirit at 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 University was held on Wednesday, September 11, a date which also marked the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. On this day, students, faculty and administrators came together at St. Aedan鈥檚: The 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 University Church for a special liturgy in which Rev. Luis A. Tampe, S.J., delivered the homily and Rev. Andrew N. Downing, S.J., presided over the Mass. After the liturgy, the entire community came together for a food truck lunch outside of the Mac Mahon Student Center.
鈥淛oining together as a community in prayer is a wonderful reminder that we are supported by those around us and by God,鈥 said Christine Boyle, director of campus ministry. 鈥淩egardless of what comes our way this year, through the intercession of聽Holy聽Spirit聽and upheld in prayer, by those supporting us, we can overcome and accomplish so much.鈥
While the Mass of the Holy Spirit traditionally serves as a means to reinforce Jesuit values and bless students in their academic endeavors for the coming year, this special date also served as a way to recognize the members of the alumni community who were lost in the events of September 11. 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 asked that the community continue to pray for these alumni members, their families, the community of first responders who have died and those who continue to battle 9/11 related illnesses, and for all victims of violence.
The recognition for 9/11 as a National Day of Service continued in the afternoon when members of the 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 alumni community joined students to volunteer their time in the 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 Food Pantry and Clothes Closet where they repurposed food, clothes and toiletries for those in need.
